37 comments:

im not sure I ever got the coach klinsmann criticism. but I guess some people think they need to keep dishing it, even though we had never won in Kingston. lets go see what kind of rating greg gave his left mid.

I'll Give credit where credit is due. Well done Klinsi on the Brad Evans call. Zusi looked good too. All in all, good performance. Still some defense issues, but hell, 3 points in Kingston is a huge result. Now pick up 6 more over the next 2 games and we're looking pretty strong.

Who dropped the ball on Jamaica's goal? Howard or Gonzo? Who is more culpable? Couldn't tell who was supposed to be on Beckford, but Howard could have come out and challenged for it.

Well done boys. And thank God M Bradley didn't pick up a yellow. I think we'll be missing J Jones (and Zusi). Panama will play tough.

"Well done, Klinsi"? Seriously? This time last cycle, we were getting ready to beat Spain. This time w'ere happy about escaping Jamaica with our hides.

Zuzi faded badly and had to give up an unnecessary foul. (And because JK wanted to make a point, we don't have Donovan on the roster to replace him next game.) Clint was mostly invisible most likely because he was over used in the friendlies, Beasley was beaten like a drum - a good team would have shredded our fullbacks. It took an injury to finally get him playing Cameron in his natural spot. Nothing about this team inspires confidence that we can beat good teams when it counts.

Still, this team is shaky under klinsy, not liking alot of his decisions, trying to teach donovan a lesson, but tells chandler the door is always open? , i think we need donovan alot more than chandler.but germans stick together i guess

I disagree about F. Johnson. I don't think he's played is best game in the two matches- but he still was very helpful to Jozy, Dempsey, and therefore Zusi against Germany (there was so much space created when he was in). He didn't have a good game after the first fifteen minutes- but he made two plays at the very beginning that made the highlight reel.

The problem with Jamaica is they are all physical and athletic, have no rhythm, and therefore make games very hectic for possession oriented attackers. Johnson suffered the most, as that's his game. Ultimately, if he doesn't prove himself against a team like Panama, in which there will actually be a flow and reason to the game, he should be able to impose himself more. Ultimately, he's definitely someone I want involved come world cup time- against sophisticated opposition, he's going to be important.

Brad Evans- not as much to say, except wow. I thought Beasley had a better game overall, but he saved us for sure.

when you hear all the opinions, and you really look at them, it becomes easier to see how a unified, solidarity, and clarity of purpose could really propel a program forward.

it makes it easier to understand how a team like bosnia can stroll through qualifying, a country with a population less than the city of philly. yet they have a purpose and players who compete with our fellow americans at places like AS roma, or st Louis university, or wherever the heck ibesivic went to school.

we don't really have a solidarity, not within the soccer community. within the team, yes, within the overall community. NO!!!

yak, you ask a deep question, I need to think on a little. I would also ask if your question is an either or proposition, or could it also be both?

cam, you must know the Balkan history. this region has put a couple teams in the semi finals of world cups. Yugoslavia breaks up and the teams get better. can you explain that? because I can.

and now we see it with bosnia, the solidarity of this team and of this nation is what drives them to the level they play. there is a common understand about how the game is to be played. smaller nations can thrive on this kind of synergy.

Tony M:"This was the first time the USA has ever won a World Cup qualifier in Jamaica. Yes, ever"

So yeah we're happy "escaping Jamaica with our hides."

You should know that the US had plenty of shaky results last qualifying cycle. Including a draw at Jamaica and getting worked 3-1 by Costa Rica.

BUT if you really want something to complain about I can totally see Jurgen playing Cameron AND Castillo in the midfield AND us drawing to Panama at home... so hopefully then you have something to complain about. BUT we will still qualify.

Very amusing personal dig, sugarplum. I'm the guy who kept on the Bradley-to-Roma story for 14 months when no one else had shit on it and many claimed I was making it all up. I'm the one who promised at least 15 goals for Jozy last season and then at least 25 this term. So then... what have you done?

Jacob, given some more time, it should be clear that every country in the world has a style of play. it aint based on one coaches philosophy. its based on the fans, the people of the country. this is sort of why Senegal plays more like Cameroon, and less like Norway.

Jacob, maybe as a fan base, we send mixed signals as to what is proper. some guys might take a strict interpretation of the rules and think a right back should actually be a natural right back and not a converted midfielder, and thus they might see the total logic in not playing Bradley evans at right back.

I don't actually know. do these opposing philosophies hurt the advancement of the game in our country?

Dude, get a grip already. Bosnia is playing better because they have their best set of players ever. Senegal plays more like Cameroon because they're from the same part of the world, and not so much like Norway because it's on the other side of the world. And you, along with every other ding-dong out there, will be praying for Landon Donovan when the team on the other side is a lot better than Jamaica and the game holds a lot more pressure. Bank it.

tony m, this same inferior nation has already picked up points in the Azteca during wcq. they gave mexico fits just a couple days prior.

greg, I think all us ding dongs really do want landycakes, we just want to see a level of commitment that tells us he really cares, because we really care about him.

ask us if we care about timmy chandler the same way and you will very likely not get the same answer. is it just me, or is this an even logic based on merits? a great lasting standard of our beloved country

I don't want Castillo starting, but I'm surprised you're against Cameron. Dominic Kinnear knew he was one of his most talented players ever, and couldn't figure out where to put him -RB, DM, AM, CB- because his skill set is so large. He's a good center back, because of his awareness, passing ability, decent foot speed, and general IQ. He's able to translate those to the DM position- they're just more valuable in a center back. Given our options on the bench, what we want is someone to step in and cover for Bradley, and have enough skill to make the smart pass. That's him to a tee.

I'm not necessarily against it, I just know people will be up in arms if it happens. If it happens and we don't get the W people will be calling for Jurgens head.

Personally I'm staying out of this one. I do not envy the decision that must be made. Obviously if Jones gets cleared things get a little simpler, but I don't claim to have the answer either way.

Jozy was all but all but washed up before he went to AZ. If it is the magic land of production increases maybe Brek Shea should go to this magical league where he will definitely become better... wait what?

graziano pelle is not a household name, but he was the second leading scorer in the dutch league this past season with 27 goals. in his three previous seasons in Italy, pelle had a total of 5 goals, and four of them came when he played in serie b.

number one in the dutch league in goal scoring, Will bony, aka willy the kid, scored 31 this season 17 last. willfred had strong production at Sparta praha prior to his dutch experience, but not on the level of where he is now.

seven of the top ten scorers in Holland are foreign, including the top six. I know, im a cantaloupe. ill have one of those chesterfields now.

Greg, I'm not going to tell you how to run your blog, but I think I speak for most when I say we would all prefer you not feed the troll. I know it's frustrating as hell, but he brings out a bad side of you. Let him comment, but I wouldn't concern myself at all with replying to any of the nonsense. Just my two cents. Keep up the good work.

While it's great somebody thinks I actually have a good side (heh), I mostly ignore him. However, when he is prattling on with nonsense repeated ad nauseum, hijacking threads or insulting other NSC writers/readers, I am going to cut him off.

Who is NSC?

NSC is run by Greg Seltzer (MLSsoccer.com), who has reported on soccer across the globe since 2001, covering MLS, MLS Cup, U.S. Men, Women & Youth national teams, World Cup, Gold Cup, U-20 World Cup, the UEFA European Championship, UEFA Champions League and Europa League, UEFA Cup, CONCACAF and UEFA qualifiers, Premiership, Bundesliga, Eredivisie, various second-tier leagues, domestic cups and international friendlies.